A salute to Veterans with GEB

For Green Energy Biofuel and company owners, Beth and Joe Renwick, Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day have a special place in our hearts. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we wanted to pay tribute and publicly thank those who have given service to our country in the armed forces of the United States.

Freedom is not free. Throughout our nation’s history, men and women have made the decision to serve our nation to preserve that freedom that we so often take for granted.

In preparation for the celebration, the coordinator of the event, Penny Renwick, sent an e-mail to BioJoe who was on vacation with his wife, Beth, traveling the country of Italy. He was asked to give some input on the day and the veterans under his employ. Being in Europe where so much of the continent was ravaged by WWII brought about a special time and memory for BioJoe. He shared his thoughts about that day.

“It was a beautiful morning my first full day in Italy. I needed a haircut and went to a barber shop for a fresh cut. On the walk there, I was told how Italians really like and respect Americans. Upon my arrival, I was seated and used Google Translate to explain the type of hair cut I wanted. I handed her my phone to read the translated Italian text and then started typing on my phone. In doing so, she let me know that it was an honor to cut my hair because her family gave aid to US soldiers in WWII. Once the haircut began, there was not one word said. I sat motionless and quiet while the barber went to work. During my haircut, I am not sure why, but I was so touched by this that I teared up in the chair. I began thinking about the Great War, those that were negatively impacted by the war, and those that owe their freedom to the men and women that served in the war. The barber got worried after I wiped the tears from my eyes a few times, and she freaked out. She thought that I hated the hair cut because I was crying and couldn’t speak Italian to let her know I didn’t like it. I assured her that I would have let her know that something was wrong, but I was overcome by emotion that I couldn’t help it. I thought of all the movies I have seen about wars fought on their soil and the damage done to their towns and lives due to bombings and battles. We all owe our freedom to those who have served in the past and those that serve in the present. Without their sacrifices, we would not have the world we have today.”

The Green Energy Biofuel family is proud to employ 5 veterans and would like to honor their service in recognition of Veterans Day.

At our Aiken plant, we have Kyle Nelson. Kyle served in the United States Navy from 2006-2012 as a nuclear electrician 3rd class. He was deployed to Japan 2009-2012 and was the only nuclear boat deployed outside of the United States to Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Thank you Kyle, for your service to our country.

At our Tennessee plant, we have Austin Cole. Austin served in the United States Marine Corps from 2012-2017 as an infantryman. He served three deployments while on active duty. The first deployment was in Afghanistan where his unit was involved in aerial raids to stop the flow of drugs and IED material. The second and third deployments were in Spain where his unit conducted military to military training. Thank you Austin, for your service to our country.

Austin Cole (Pictured left)

At our headquarters, we have three veterans. At our headquarters, we have three veterans. The first is Taylor Baxter. Taylor served in the United States Marine Corps from 2006-2010 in the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion. He served in Supply and Logistics. Thank you Taylor, for your service to our country.

Taylor Baxter

David Thompson served in the United States Navy from 2000-2013 as a missile technician. He served aboard the USS Alabama from 2001-2005. From 2006-2009, he served as a naval instructor. From 2009-2011, he served aboard the USS Tennessee as the Leading Fire Control Petty Officer and would serve aboard the USS Henry M Jackson as Leading Deck Petty Officer with the rank of First Lieutenant and a rating of missile technician from 2011-2013. He would receive numerous Admiral’s Letters and numerous commendations for his work as a Master Training Specialist with an E-6 classification. Thank you David, for your service to our country.

David Thompson

Last, we have BioJoe’s own Father, Erwin Renwick who served in the United States Army from 1967-1970 as a motor sergeant E5. He began his training at Fort Jackson followed by leadership training at Fort Ord and supply school and automotive repair parts training at Fort Lee. After deployment to Germany, Erwin was stationed in Korea where he, as the motor sergeant, protected the largest underground supply depot in the world. He commented on the temperature extremes while in Korea where the temps could be anywhere from 105* to 60* below zero. He even suffered from frost bite while getting necessary equipment to the DMZ one winter. Thank you Erwin, for your service to our country.

Erwin Renwick

Each of our veterans was presented with a certificate of appreciation from Green Energy Biofuel for their service to our country by their respective plant manager and was treated to breakfast. These acts of kindness can never show our full appreciation for their service, but we wanted them to know that their service is important, that it means something and that it stands for something even greater.

Green Energy Biofuel would like to thank not only our veterans for their service but every veteran who has served our great nation. We would also like to thank the families who have stood by the side of our servicemen who have sacrificed just as much.

We will NEVER forget your service. It is because of you and your service that freedom continues to be our heritage.